Looking for a response to our plans / ideas!

Both of us are British nationals.

We live in Ayr on the west coast of Scotland with weird elderly neighbours next door.

My wife and I also own a rental property in Normandy, France

(Large town house split into three flats)

Makes a profit but hard work and mega hassle and regular maintenance needed

We both would like to live in Spain, (better weather, pleasant walks, cheaper booze, and good value eating out).

, Both of us are attracted to Oliva, Denia, Javea and Jalon Valley

We plan on renting (500 euros per month) for a few months to narrow down location

What are the pitfalls?

Feel free to comment, positive or negative!



Leo n Jenny

Timing?

Obviously you have left it extremely late to qualifiy for residence in Spain before the end of Brexit transition on 31/12/20, and from 1/1/21 you will have the additional complication of qualify for and applying for a visa to allow you to live in Spain, qualifying as appropriate to work or retire in the country.

I do not see the relevance of "weird elderly neighbours" Can you elucidate ?

As always it just depends what you are doing now and are you retired or would you need work? I suppose the pitfalls are the same eveywhere and if you are buying after renting, make sure it's legal. Sunshine is one thing but even in Spain it gets dark at night and people can feel lonely, so location is key. The weird neighbours could be anywhere, language barriers, further inland it's the pig farm, barking dogs and Pulaski mentioned Brexit.

Thanks for comments so far.

We are both retired and most likely buy an old town house with roof terrace.

And, are comfortable with undertaking a reasonable amount of renovation etc.

We will still retain our UK house.

Thank you for looking,

Leo

Suggest you research here

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/living-i...-and-residency

Just a word of warning and obviously depends what kind of townhouse but we all get older. If your only outdoor space is a roof terrace how would it be when walking is no longer that easy? Sure there are lifts you can install but very expensive and properties don't sell quickly.

Have sent a message to you

From what I have heard, the S1 healthcare coverage system (UK government pays for basic healthcare coverage) is ending with the end of the Brexit transition, which would make health insurance considerably more expensive if you are retiring in the European Onion. Hopefully someone will be along to confirm what will happen from 2021 onwards.

Correct, but if you are resident before Jan 1, but not yet getting a state pension, as I understand it,you will still be able to apply for an S1 with heathcare when you do reach retirment age.

Thank you Fred, but unfortunately Leo and his wife seem to be in the opposite situation - they are retired, and are not resident, and it appears to be unlikely that they will be able to gain residency before the end of the Brexit transition in nine weeks time.

As the OP has asked for comments why not put your message on the open forum for future researchers to gain information.

Rosemary

It's not necessary to 'gain residency' before Dec 31st, only to be living in Spain and able to prove it.

Given that you will have 6 months to got through the process for acquiring TIE's.

OK, but you have to be living in Spain and qualified to start the process by 31/12/20, right?

I thought that this is a proposal and not law. BritinParis probably knows.